Teach Engineering
Investigating Torque
Torque--a teachable moment? Here's a instructional activity on torque (or moment) and variables that include size, reinforcement, structural bracing, and material that affect torque.
Teach Engineering
Levers that Lift
Introduce your class to to the remaining three simple machines-- the lever, pulley, and the wheel-and-axle with a plan that includes the three different types of levers in the discussion of levers. The lesson plan continues with the...
Teach Engineering
Thrown for a Loop
Round and round it goes. Class members observe a current carrying loop in a magnetic field and calculate its associated torque. They then apply what they have learned to example problems to solve for the torque and to calculate the...
Curated OER
Review of Rotational Motion
In this rotational motion activity, students calculate and answer 50 multiple choice questions related to the properties of rotating bodies.
Curated OER
How are torque and work different?
Sixth graders explore how torque and work are different. In this torque lesson plan, 6th graders will understand the relationship between torque and work as it applies to force and distance. Students will be assessed on their conclusions...
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The Mag Mile and ... Torque!
Students use paper plates and detailed directions to build a model of the Michigan Avenue Bridge's gear system. By carefully measuring and cutting "teeth" for the gears of the "Gear Train," they create small gear that will intersect the...
Curated OER
Pendulum Motion
Students explore questions which cannot be handled with simple pendulums, and examine both the usefulness and the limitations of approximations in science. A Java applet created from a Stella model is included.
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The Learning Tower of Straws Challenge
Students construct a tower as high as possible that can successfully lean without collaspling. They examine the effect that lowering an object's center of gravity has on the torque produced on an object.
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Robot Gears
Students build simple gear trains and record data to discover how to compute gear ratios. They investigate the definition of torque and how torque can be increased or decreased in a gear train.
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The Center of Mass
Students determine the center of mass of two irregularly shaped objects, determine when the center of mass is inside or outside the boundaries of the object, determine when and/or why an object is stable, balanced, unstable or unbalanced.
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Wheels on the Bot Go Round and Round, Part II
Students hypothesize about the relationship between tire size of CEENBoT and ability to move a load. In this physics lesson, students design an experiment to test their hypothesis. They record results and formulate their conclusion.
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Gyrocopters-Producing Rotary Motion
Students demonstrate rotary motion by practicing with gyrocopters. In this physics lesson plan students work in groups to construct a gyrocopter and explore how physics effect it torque and inertia.
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Learn about Torque
Learners calculate torque and determine its uses. In this instructional activity on torque, students watch a video and teacher demonstrations and work with a small group on a lab activity. Learners provide example of how torque is used...
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Gearing Up--Learning About Gears
In this learning about gears learning exercise, 5th graders read and discuss a 1 page article on gears, fill in 7 blanks to complete 5 facts about gears and make a set of gears from a template provided in the learning exercise.
Curated OER
Torque Play
In this physics instructional activity, students use torque to explain several very odd phenomena. They write the definition of torque and the relation between torque and change in angular momentum.
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Work and the Farm
Students listen to a lecture by the teacher about farm work and ways to use physics to make farm work easier. The machines that are highlighted include pulleys, ramps, lever, and gears. Each machine is explained in context of its use in...
Curated OER
Science: Vectors
Students solve vector problems and identify the x and y coordinates. They determine if the coordinates are positive, negative, or zero. Students solve problems and convert the x and y coordinates to magnitude and direction.
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Attributes of Accuracy
Students explain necessity in using accurate instruments when measuring, and how measurements can be checked for accuracy. They make a six-inch ruler, design, test, and evaluate a system to measure work, and produce a table and graph to...
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The Pork With Torque
Students determine the torque of CEENBoTs wheel hub. In this physics activity, students reinforce their learning by exploring interactive websites on torque. They give real life applications of torque.
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Balanced Forces
Students are able to explain why football running backs benefit from having a lower center of gravity when opponents are trying to tackle them. They explain why racing cars are designed to have a low center of gravity. Students explain...
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LEGO Balance
Learners design and build a balance using LEGO, string, and a set of standard metric weights.
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Forces and Balloons
Students investigate the forces of compression, tension and torque on common birthday balloons.